Poster Abstracts in Word 29oct - American Museum of Natural History

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success must be quantified to determine the effects of development upon the species withinthis estuary.Research methods: Two beaches of high terrapin nesting frequency will contain both anexperimentally blocked and reference site. Radio and sonic telemetry will be implemented tomeasure inter-nesting female spatial habitat use. Sites of oviposition will be recorded todetermine fidelity. Hatching success will be recorded. All variables will be associatedbetween ‘bulkheaded’ and open beach sites through paired comparison analyses.Relevance to conservation: Studies show that increased turtle nesting habitat availabilityreduces individual female travel distance and mortality overall. Our previous landscapegenetic studies demonstrate nesting beaches of natal fidelity for terrapins within Barnegat.As this is also the area preferred by humans for housing, the impacts of fragmentation bybulkheading must be quantified to best conserve the habitat requirements this species.AGRICULTURAL IMPACT ON SEX RATIOS OF GROUNDNESTING SONGBIRDSDEREK MICHAEL WRIGHTUniversity of New England, Environmental StudiesBiddeford, Maine USAUndergraduate fourth yeardwright2@une.eduConservation problem or question: My research examines the effects of agriculturalmanagement on evolutionary and population processes of ground nesting songbirds, theSavannah Sparrow and the Bobolink, breeding in Vermont. I am exploring howanthropogenic events (hayfield management) affects population sex ratios by performingmolecular sex identification of nestlings. Both of these species are declining throughouttheir range, largely due to agricultural processes.Research methods: Extraction of avian DNA through blood samples. The extracted DNA isthen amplified in a polymerase chain reaction with primers for avian sex determiningchromosomes Z and W. The amplified product is processed through gel electrophoresis togenerate images that are determinant of sex. The results will then be used to generate aratio of gender occurrence amongst sample populations.Relevance to conservation: Population dynamics are integral factors when considering theoverall health of a species and its related ecosystem/habitat. The sex ratio is a critical factorinfluencing population dynamics. If the sex ratios of these species are significantly alteredby agricultural activity then conservation action must be taken through adaptivemanagement and policy.PILGRIM'S PROGRESS: CONSERVATION OF SACRED MOUNTAINS IN ASIAALLEGRA YELEYUniversity of Georgia, Department of GeographyAthens, Georgia USAUndergraduate third yearayeley@uga.eduConservation problem or question: I will discuss the changing relationship between pilgrimsand sacred mountains, how mountain environments are affected by human traffic, and whatmethods are being used to conserve ecosystems, religious beliefs, and cultural practices.Determining the connections that link devotion, pilgrimage, sacred mountains, andconservation policy will help establish steps that should be taken to conserve these naturaland spiritual monuments.Research methods: I explored these topics via two case studies: Sagarmatha/Everest inNepal/China (Tibet) and Mount Kailash in China (Tibet). Through library research andinterviews with mountaineers, monks, and conservationists, I assessed the conservation
practices currently employed in the Sagarmatha and Mount Kailash regions, focusing on therole of religious belief in said practices.Relevance to conservation: The Mount Kailash and Sagarmatha studies have illustrated theeffect of mountains upon human spirituality as well as the consequences of human devotionwithin the natural world. Local communities and religious beliefs must be considered withinenvironmental efforts and policymaking. Conservationists must work carefully to stabilizeecosystems and extant anthropogenic developments without compromising natural orspiritual aspects of the mountains.A GIS BASED PEST MANAGEMENT IN BLUEBERRY PRODUCTION IN USAFARUQUE UZ ZAMANRutgers University, Department of Entomology, School of Environmental and BiologicalScienceNew Brunswick, New Jersey USAPh.D. completedzaman@aesop.rutgers.eduConservation problem or question: Blueberries are grown in ecologically sensitive areas inpinelands region of New Jersey. Because of the complex of native and exotic insect speciesattacks blueberries, growers require pesticide applications to protect crop damage. Wepropose a Geographic Information System based protocol to reduce pesticide use in farmsto protect environment at the same time growing safe fruits without compromising quality.Research methods: A spatially-based whole farm Integrated crop management program wasestablished in blueberry farms covering 1500 acres of fields. Farms were selected based onthree geo-spatial and landscape categories: farms surrounded by forest, open fields or othercrops, and other blueberry farms. Insect monitoring device and GIS technologies were usedto identify pest's movement in fields to make management decisions.Relevance to conservation: We observed different pest movement in fields with variablelandscape. We found a reduction in the number of insecticide applications in the ICM farms.Reduction in insecticide use increases the abundance of beneficial insects and keeps theenvironment free from pesticide residue. The results reduced the risk of insect contaminatedfruit export from infested region to a non-infested region.
Page 1 and 2: STUDENT CONFERENCE ON CONSERVATION
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Page 5 and 6: habitat selection by bats and the e
Page 7 and 8: Research methods: I use ecological
Page 9 and 10: esult in different actions toward n
Page 11 and 12: wooded pastures located across a ra
Page 13 and 14: MATRIX & EDGE EFFECT ON PHENOLOGY O
Page 15 and 16: Undergraduate completedpriscillaher
Page 17 and 18: changes in the water table and the
Page 19 and 20: TRIBAL RIGHTS AND TIGER CONSERVATIO
Page 21 and 22: Research methods: The methods used
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Page 25 and 26: conservation outcomes, we also need
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Page 29 and 30: SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF HABITAT FRAG
Page 31 and 32: Research methods: Data on direct si
Page 33 and 34: SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION PROJECTS
Page 35 and 36: conservation strategy. The current
Page 37: POPULATION GENETICS OF THE GIANT AR

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